characteristics of political campaigns in the us

• what are the characteristics of US election campaigns?

  • frequency
  • money
  • individuality
  • targeting swing states
  • mid-terms
  • getting the voting base out
• how long does the 'visible campaign' take in the president's first term?

  up to a year
• when are candidates and parties campaigning in the US?

  constantly
• when does campaigning for the next presidential election unofficially begin?

  mid-terms
• when running for public office is the onus on the party or the individual?

  individual
• what does a candidate need to get themselves on the ballot?

  enough nomination signatures and lots of campaign funds
• a candidate for public office is supposed to create enough political momentum that the political party of their choice will nominate them as a result at the NNC
• US campaigning is very focused on what?

  galvanising the voting base and getting them out to vote
• although a large number of americans will identify as 'independents', most will largely lean towards one party or another
• what is 'Get rid of he vote'?

  Voter suppression.
• why might a political party use voter suppression?

  to prevent a certain group of people from voting as they won't gain votes from them
• what is an example of voter suppression?

  north carolina -> voters must have a photo ID
• what is another example of voter suppression?

  new hampshire -> can only cast a vote in person
• what is another example of voter supression?

  • Georgia -> ID requirements to apply for and return mail ballots
• there is a focus on 'what' states during campaigning?

  swing states
• what are some key swing states?

  Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina.
• during campaigning there is an emphasis on the states that come first in the primary and caucus diary
• why do parties want to secure a victory in the early primaries and caucuses?

  it builds momentum and support
• does spending more money guarantee a win?

  no -> Hillary Clinton outspent Trump but lost
• high spending is a result of what?

  • the vast size of the US
  • the absence of effective laws to limit or regulate the campaign funding
• why are mid-terms significant?

  they indicate public confidence in the president's performance -> most will lose support
• what does it mean when a president is described as a 'lame duck'?

  they don't have enough support in either house to pass legislation